Mr. Johnson Continues to Teach after 26 Years

A mentor. A man with a passion for writing, language, and learning. A teacher who really cares about his students success and growth. These are only a few of the ways one could describe Ivan Nate Johnson, a man who has dedicated 21 years of his life to challenging, teaching, and guiding his students through life, as well as AS English.

Mr. Johnson has seen the school go through many changes, from the complete reconstruction of the school, to the ever fluctuating teachers and faculty but, “Fundamentally san mateo has always had that san mateo spirit and it’s always been a place that has had an identity, and its the same identity that its always has been… It’s a place of challenge, diversity and complexity”

Nate Johnson was hired by SMHS staff in 1995, his first job as a teacher and, “over the course of the last 20 years or so i’ve done basically all the levels of english”. Mr. Johnson was the Chair of the English Department for 7 years, the District English coordinator for 5 years, but a couple of years ago he gave that all up just to be back in the classroom doing what he loves, helping students thrive.

Even after teaching for in the same school for 21 years, instead of falling into a rut, Mr. Johnson has managed to quite the the opposite, he is thriving. Nate Johnson is a man who is always looking to improve, and San Mateo is just the place to do it because,“This is a place that feels like it constantly inventing itself… this is a place where everyone is collectively always doing that, were always asking ourselves ‘how do we do better’.”

“The teaching staff has always been great and though the administration has changed, they’ve always been focused on the achievement of every student,” said Johnson. Not only does the San Mateo High School staff strive to improve themselves, but they are focused in their mission of giving each student an opportunity to succeed.

Mr. Johnson is loved by students and teachers alike, and his passion for language makes his class a fun, safe environment to learn for all. Mr. Johnson has left a lasting mark on the school and his students that will remain for years to come, and he hopes to impart on his students to, “View their life as under their control… because success isn’t handed to anybody, it’s only achieved if you see something you want and you try for it.”